Indexing device



m1,. 12 11924. mmm@ J. V. LILE INDEXING DEVICE Filed Dec. 15 1920 4 Sheets-Sheer?l l LMLEU lung., 112 1924.

J. V. LILE INDEXING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet M o Sr@ /f m Q%\@ w www nm. N. \N @@mv m mvg@ AMX@ v J. V. LILE INDEXING DEVICE Filed Dec. 15, 1.920A 4 sheets-sheet s' n u u u Il en! t; `s Mew/arf MKM/g Aww, 12 X924.

J. V. LRLE INDEXING DEVICE 4 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Dec,

JOHN V. LILE, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO DONALD A. NEVIN AND JOHN V. LILE, TRUSTEES FOR NEVIN-LILE ENGINEERING COMPANY, LIMITED, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

INDIIEXING DEVICE.

Application led December 15, 1920. Serial No. 431,037.

ti Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Indexing Devices, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming@J part of this specification.

My invention relates to card indexing devices and particularly to that class of indexing devices wherein cards containing various items of information are arranged in a receptacle in alphabetical or some other desired order and wherein any one of the said cards may be located and separated from the other cards therein by means of key-controlled mechanism.

rior to this invention a few devices have been produced for accomplishing` practically this result but they have been of such a complex nature, with the resultant high cost, as to preclude the possibility of their being used in any but the larger olices.

One object of my invention is to produce an indexing device wherein each card-containing tray is self contained, i. c., the mechanism for locating and delivering the desired card 'is contained within each. individual tray and is not a separate unit to be brought into cooperating position with the cards of a tray wherein the desired card is located. This feature will permit of a tray with its selecting mechanism being carried from department to department in a large oiiice, a very necessary requisite, which is not possible with the devices now in general use.

A further object is to provide a mechanical indexing device, the operationV of which does not require the use of'external motive power, such as an electric motor or a handv operating lever. t

Another object is to produce an indexing device wherein the desired card is'separated divided into divisions and the divisions are divided into groups of cards.

To clarify the last statement it will be assumed that a tray contains the cards of customers whose family names begin with the letters of the alphabet, from A to G inclusive. In this tray all of the As would be in one division, all of the Bs would be in another division, etc., and these divisions would be in turn subdivided into groups of cards, the particular group into which a certain card would go being determined by the first letter of the Christian naine of the customer whose naine appears thereon. Each of the said groups contain cards of customers whose Christian names commence with one of two letters, for instance, the first group contains the cards of customers whose Christian names commence with the letters A and 13, the next group contains cards the Christian name thereon commencingwith the letters C and D, etc. Thus the card of Albert B. Adams would be located in theA first group of the A division and that of Charles Y. Aronsen in the second group of the A division.

Each of the individual cards are provided with a projection on the lower edge thereof, the location of the projection being determined 4by the first letter of thc middle name of the person whose name appears thereon. Thus, the projections on the card when the middle name indicated thereon begins with the letter A or the letter B will be located at a point adjacent the left edge of the Said card. Those cards having middle names commencing with the letters C or D would be provided with projections slightly to the right of the first mentioned projections. This is continued across the width of the group of cards, each projection representing two letters of the alphabet and being located at different points in a horizontal'line relative to the cards. It is obvious that corresponding projections in different groups are in line longitudinally.

The mechanism whereby the selection and delivery of the cards is accomplished is controlled from a key-boardhaving three rows of keys; the lirst row is associated with what may be called the division selecting mechanism and provides a means whereby the whole division in which the desired card is located may be in an operating position; the second row of keys, which cooperates with what may he called the group selecting and positioning mechanism, selects the particular group in which the card is contained and moves it to an operating position; and the third row of keys associated with the card-selecting mechanism cooperates with the projection on the lower edge of the cards and selects and delivers the desired card.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention comprises the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings whereir. is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it is to vbe understood that the invention compre- .hends changes, variations and modifications which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended. n

Fig. I is a perspective of my indexing device with parts of the receptacle and some of the cards broken away to utilize space.

Fig. II is a plan of my device with parts broken away and with numerical instead of U alphabetical key designations.

Fig. III is a longitudinal section with the cards omitted.

Fig. IV is a section online IV-IV, of

` Fig. III.

lrIFig. V is a section on line V-V, of Fig.

F ig. VI is a fragmentary skeleton view showing the division selecting mechanism.

Fig. VII is a fragmentary skeleton view Showlng the'group selecting and positioning mechanism.

l Fig. VIII is a fragmentary skeleton view showing 'the card selecting and'delivering mechanism.

Fig. IX is a fragmentary' detail showing the error and key-board clearing mechamsm.

Fig. X is a perspective view of a fragment of one of the card holders. j

Fi XI is a fragmentary detail of a air of a joining card holders showing over apping feature whereby a card which is being inserted is prevented from going between two of said holders.

, ing to the first letter in the middle name indicat'ed on the said card.

In the drawings designates a receptacle which is composed of side and end members and a bottom member and is adaptedto receive the mass of cards. These cards, as before stated, are separated into groups each group of cards being contained within a group holder B comprising an inflexible group-separating back B having upturned portions at the lower corners thereof in the form of hooks B2 to receive the corresponding lower corners of the group of cards, and thereby hold the individual cards in said L group together and separate from the cards making up adjacent groups. The lower faces of the said hooks 'B2 are inclined for a purpose which will be set forth later in this specification.

Secured in any suitable manner to oneof the side walls of the receptacle A is a group holder support l which has a slotted horizontal portion 1 upon which one end of each of the group holders B rests, a vertical portion which bears against the wall of the receptacle and through which the fastening means pass, and'a second horizontal portion 1, the utility of which will be subsequently pointed out. Secured to the opposite side wall of the receptacle is another group holder support 2 which, like the support 1, has a horizontal slotted portion 2 and a vertical por-.

tion adapted to bear against the side wall of the receptacle and to receive suitable fastening means. Both of the group holder supports 1 and 2 extend longitudinally ofl that portion of the receptacle A which contains the group holders, said supports extending from the rear wall of the receptacle to the intermediate wall D which limits the forward contines of the card-receiving section of the said receptacle.

Having now described the general arrangement of the cards within the receptacle together with the manner of separating the said cards into groups arid the means of retaining the individual cards of the roups together, I will now proceed to descri e the mechanism whereby the selection and delivery of the said individual card is accomplished.

Secured to the under side of the inclined faces of the hooks B2 forming part of the group holder B are flanged plates 3, each of which is provided with a projection 3 ex` tending from the lower edge thereof which extends through and operates in a slot l formed in the horizontal portions l and 2 of the group holder supports. It is appar- )ent that the said slots 4 are just of sulicient slightly longer than its companion projection. The reason for this will be subsequently'pointed out.

Mounted in suitable bearings in the recepta-cleI A wherein they are capable of being oscillated are a series of rods 5 (Figs. V and VII) each of which have associated with them key-controlled mechanism whereby they may be actuated from the key board. This mechanism consi-sts of an arm 6 secured tothe forward end of each of said rods, which arms cooperate with vertical key bars 7 supported in bearing plates 8 in which slots are formed 'to receive the said key bars, and which are provided with suit-able keys mounted at the upper ends thereof. Each of the said key bars 7 has a lateral extension at the lower end thereof to which a spring 9 is attached, the other end of 4the said spring being attached to a suitable hook fixed to the lower bearing plate 8, whereby the said key bar will be returned -to a normal position after it has been depressed. A link l() pivotally connects each arm 6 to its associated key bar'7. It will be noted by referring to Fig. IV of the drawing that the arms 6 secured to the rods 5 extend upwardly at an angle from the said rods and that the links 10 extend downwardly at a like angle from the key bars 7, each link being pivotally connected to its cooperating arm at the point where they intersect.y The pivotal connection between the key bars 7 and the link 10 is made by forming a projection on the said key bar, which will have an enlarged portion or head formed thereon. A .slot of practically the same length and width is formed in an enlarged portion of the said link l0, said slot being provided with an enlarged circular portion at the center thereof. To assemble. the two parts 1t is necessary to bring the slot formedy in the link to a position where it registers with the projection on the key bar 1n which position the said projection may be passed through the said slot. If the link is then moved to a position where the slot does not register with the projection, the enlarged head of the said projection will extend beyond the slot and prevent the said parts from y becoming disengaged. The pivotal connection between the link 10 and the arm 6 is made by passing a projection on the said link through an aperture formed 1n the upper end of the said arm and bending over the protruding metal of said projection.

From the foregoing it will be seen that when any onefof the key bars 7 is moved downwardly because of pressure being applied to the key at the upper end thereof, the movement will be transmitted from the said key bar through the link 10 to the arm 6 and because of the angle at which the said arm and link are positioned, the associated rod 5 will be oscillated in a counterclockwise direction.

Secured yto each of the rods 5 and extending longitudinally therewith is a bar ll (shown clearly in Figs. V and VH). Each of the bars 11 has a series of projections 1l extending from its upper edge, there being one of the said projections for every division of cards.

Pivotally secured to each of the projections. l1 is a clutch member l2 (Fig. V). Said clutch member comprises a flat bar provided at one of its ends with an aperture adapted to receive a portion of one of the .projections 11 whereby said clutch member is pivotally secured to said projection 11, and a laterally extending slotted portion at its other end, said slotted portion being adapted to engage a projection 3 on one ofthe group holders B when acted upon by certain mechanism which will beherein* after described.

lt has been explained that each of the rods 5 is controlled by a key, through the operationv of certain mechanism which has already been described, and that each of the said rods is provided with abar 11 to which a plurality of clutch members 12 are pivotally secured. It has also been stated that the mass of cards are separated into divisions and the individual cards in each division divided into groups and placed in group holders. To place the said group holders in an operating position it is necessary to move them laterally whereby the cards therein may be acted upon by certain mechanism not yet described.

It will now be pointed out how a particular group holder in any division may be 'selected for movement.

Each of the bars ll is provided with one projection 11 for every division of cards, these projections being in different position on different bars, for inst-ance, the bar mounted upon the rod 5 controlled by the A-B key, will have "projections so positioned that their associated clutch members may be placed in cooperation with the A-B group holders in each division, the

rod 5 controlled by the. C-D key having lactuated mechanism similar to the mechathe said division.

nism which controls the said rods 5, i. e., arms secured to one end of said rods, .key bars 13 provided with keys and links connecting said key bars with said arms, whereby when said keys are depressed said rods will be oscillated.

Fixed t0 each of the said rods 13 is a clutch-operating member 14 which is of the shape of an inverted U with the free end secured to collars whiclg are fixed to the rods 13 and that porti n which connects the Jfree ends and which is designated by the reference character 14 underlying one arm oi all of the clutch members 12.01: a particular division.

The rod 13 which carries the clutch-operating member that underlies the clutch'members of the A division will, of course, be cont-rolled by the A key and when the said key is depressed the said rod will be oscillated, carrying its clutch-operating member with it, and because the clutch members 12 are resting upon the said clutchoperating member the said clutch members will be carriedupward to engagev the projections 3 on all the group holders B of Thus it is nofw apparent that to select a particular card it is first necessary to depress the key ba'rs 13 carrying the letter corresponding to the first letter in the family name of the customer whose name appears thereon. For illustration, it will be assumed that this name is Charles Y. Aronsen. The A key of the division selecting mechanism will be depressed and this will connect all of the'l clutches in the A division to all of the group holders in that division. The key 7 of the group seleefting' 'and positioning mechanism which A carries the letter corresponding to the first v letter inthe customers Christian -name is then depressed.v In the/name given above it is 0. This will cause the rod 5 associated with the said key to be oscillated, moving the attached bar 11 in an arc of 'a circle and because the clutch members adapted to engage the (1-1) group holders in each division are pivotally secured. to the said bar they will be moved laterally. It will be remembered that only fthe A division' clutches are engaged to their associated group holders and consequently only the group I holder of the A section containing cards the Christian name of the customerwhose name appears thereon begins with the letters C and D will be moved. The other ing the clutches connected' vto the bar 11 which is moved will move over idly without aeottion of their associated group holders. l

A spring Bc, one end of which is secured to an' extension of one of the flanged plates 3 of each of the group holders, Iand the other end to the wall of the receptacle tends toreturn the group holder B to its original position after its associated key has been released.

I have now explained how the particular division is selected, Iand also how the particular, group which contains the desired card is selected. I will now proceed to describe how the said card is selected and separated from the other cards in the said oup.

' Rods 15 similar to the rods '5 and 13 are mounted like those rods in suitable bearings within the receptacle A and have associ-ated with them certainf mechanism similar to the mechanism associated with the rods 5 and -13 comprising an arm 152L secured to one end of each of fthe said rods, a key bar 15b provided with a key and a link 15c connecting said arm with said key bar whereby a depression of said key will cause the said rod 15 fto be oscillated.

Secured to each of rthe said rods 15 is i a bar 16,*said bar extending longitudinally of the said rod from one end of the card containing section ofthe receptacle to the other end thereof and underlying all of the cards therein. kIt is apparent that when the rod 15 -is oscillated, the bar 16, being secured to the Said rod, will also swing in an arc of a circle.

Each of the cards C (Figs. V and XIV) has a projection C extending downwardly from its lower edge, which as will be noted by referring to Fig. V, is in a different location on different cards within a certain group. The location of this projection C is determined by the first letter in the middle name of the name carried by the card to which said projection is attached. For instance, the projection on cards having middle names the first letter of which is moved from the left edge of said card. the C-D projection slightly to the right of the A-B projections, andso on through the alphabet until the Y-Z projection is reached at a point slightly removed from the right edge of its card.

Formed on the lower edge of each card adjacent to the points where each side edge and the bottom edge meet are the inclined edges Cl formed by cutting parts of the said card away. These `inclined edges bear against corresponding inclined faces B" -formed in th'e group holders B (Fig. V).

For the o .eration of all ofy the cards in all of the divisions having names thereon, 'the middle name of which commences with one of .twocertain letters, one of the rods 15 is provided, said rod being associated with mechanism alreadydescribed and said mechanism being identified by a key mounted thereon which carries letters corresponding to the first letters of the middle names on the cards. In other words, the A- cards (cards having names thereon the middle name of which commences with the letter A or B) are acted upon by a key oscillated rod, the key of which carries the letters A-B, the C-D cards by mechanism controlled by the C-D key, etc.

It will be noted by referring to Fig. V that even though one of the card-selecting keys was depressed, when its associated group holder was in the position shown in this View that the cards therein would not be affected by the movement of the bar 16 as the said 'bar would reach its limit of movement before it could contact with the projection on the card, but if the group holder containing the desired card was moved to the left to the position shown in dotandldash lines in Fig. Vthe projection on said card would-be engaged as soon as the said bar 16 began its movement and the said card moved laterally with said bar. This movement would cause the inclined edges on the said card to ride up the inclined faces I3a on the group holder thereby raising the said card above the other cards in the positioned group.

Earlier in this specification an illustration was given using the name of Charles Y. Aronsen and it was pointed out how the particular division was selected by the manipulation of certain mechanism which `was identified by the first letter of the family name thereon; also how the particular group in which the desired card was contained was selected and moved to an operating position by certain mechanism identified by the first letter of the Christian naine thereon. It is now apparent that to raise the card of Charles Y. Aronsen above the others in the group it will be only necessary to depress the Y-X key bar 15b of the card selecting mechanism. This will, of course, oscillate the rod and bar associated therewith. The group in which the desired card is contained4 having already been placed in an operating position, all of the cards in that group the middle naine on which begins with the letters Y or Z7 will be raised above the others thro-ugh the medium of the inclined faces already described.

An inexperienced operator may attempt to operate a key bar 13 which controls the clutch members 12 while the said clutch members are in the moved position. For instance, one of the group holders has been engaged by its associated clutch Aand has been moved to the operating position, and

all of the clutches pivotally secured to the bar which carries the engaged clutch have likewise moved over. Now if one of the division selecting keys was actuated, the clutches would be moved upwardly to a po- -sition behind the clutch receiving projections on the group holders and the said group holders could notbe returned to their original posit-ion. To prevent this7 I provide a lateral extension 1a on the group holder support 1 which is adapted to enter the slot-s 12 formed in one end of the clutch members 12 when the said clutch members are in a moved position7 thereby preventing the operation of said clutch members while they are so positioned.

To insure the proper replacing of a card after .it has been removed from its group holder, I provide the inflexible back of said group holder with an offset b (Fig. XI)

which overlaps the space between the group a projection adjacent one of the inclined edges Ca, the edge of the said projection closest to the inclined edge C being inclined in the opposite direction thereto. The upper edge of an inclined face Ba rests in the base ot this notch when the card is inproper position. If in inserting a card it is slightly displaced in a lateral direction, the inclined edges on either side of the base of theY notch will contact with the upper edge of the inclined face Ba and when the said card is moved downwardly the said inclined edges will cause the said card to adjust itself so as to cause the said upper edge of the inclined face to enter the base of said notch, thereby bringing the card to its proper position.

` To prevent a cardv from dropping back into its group holder after it has 'been delivered I provide each card with a pair of flatI surfaces Cd, Fig. XIV, which will rest upon the upper edges of theinclined faces Ba. To replace the card it is necessary to move it laterally until the said flat surface is free of the upper edge of the said inclined face, when it may be moved downwardly to its proper place.

. "WhileI have described my device as being adaptable for use with cards arranged in the receptacle in alphabetical order, I wish to point o-ut that no change is necessary to the mechanism to use it with cards arranged in numerical order, except to replace the alphabetic keys with numerical keys.

In the numerical device instead of thir teen group selecting keys and thirteen card selecting keys there would be but ten of each, and I of course, there would Ibe but ten groups to a division instead of thirteen. As an illustration of how a card is selected according to number instead of init1al it will be assumed that card number 17 5 was desired. The division 'selector key which in the numerical device may be known as the hundreds key, and which in the illustration given is the 1 key in the front row in Fig. II would be depressed. This, as is understood, will connect all of the clutches in the 1 hundred division. The groupselector, o-r the tens/key is then depressed, in this case the 7 key, selectlng `the desired group within the selected divi.-

. sion and moving it laterally. The card selecting or unit key is next depressed, which in this case is the"5 key and the desired card is thereby selected and delivered in the 'manner already described.

In the event that a card is misplaced in the receptacle, for instance, the operator may in worklng rapidly mistake a B for a ,D7

, and tile the card of E W. Brown in the D section. A search may be instituted forv it mechanically by depressing all of the division selecting keys, then by depressing the E key of the group selecting mechanism all of the groups in the receptacle containing cards whereon the Christian `name starts with the letter E will be moved laterally.

Then if the W key of the card selecting mechanism is depressed all of the cards in the positioned groups whichcontain. a name the lirst letter of the middle name of which starts with the letter W will'be raised,

and if the mistake has been made by misreading the first letterv of the family name the lost card will be located. It will be understood that there are many ways in which mistakes in filing cards could be made, but it is apparent that no matter where .the card is placed in the receptacle it can be mechanically located.

The cards contained within the group are v indicated by tabs extending above the said group (Fig. I) and'if it is desired to iile a card by hand these tabs `may be used to indicate the group into which it goes, but it is not-necessary to use these tabs as the filingmay be done mechanically by raising a card VII, VIII and 'which would come next alphabetically or numerically to the card to be filed and placing the last mentioned card in position next to the raised card, )or any place within the proper group.

.'Io compel a full downward movement of the keys and to hold the said keys in their depressed position until their associated mechanisms have functioned properly I provide a series ,of y locks, (Figs. III, VI,

The lock associated with the division selecting key bars 13 comprises an elongated detent 17 which extends the full width of the key-board andy is ence character 18 to bearing plates secured to the upper key bar guide plate 8, and is adapted to engage notches 19 formed 1n the key bars 13. A second notch 19 formedln the keybar 7 below the notch 19 has an 1nclined -face 19a against which the lower end of the detent 17 bears when said key-bars are in a raised position. Thus when any one of the said keys are depressed a suiicient distance because the spring 17 is tending to draw the lower end of the said detent 1 against the key-bars 7, the said lower end of the detent 17 will enter the notch 19 in the depressed key-bar and hold the'same in .a depressed position until a second key bar 7 1s depressed, which depression will cause the inclined face 19 of the notch 19 to move the detent 17 outwardly, thereby freeing the -first depressed key bar.

The keys 7 of the group selecting mecha.- nism are provided with a detent 20 s1milar to that used in connection with the division selecting keys, which is pivoted at 21 to bearingplates secured to the upper key-bar Yguide plate 8 and is provided with a spring 20 for keeping said detent 20 in engagement with said key bars 7, said detent being adapted to enter notches 22 in the said keybars when they have been depressed a sulicient distance.

The key bars 15b of the card selecting mechanism are adapted to cooperate with an elongated plate 23 which is pivotally attached to the upper bearing plate 8, the lower end 23 of which extends at right angles to the body portion thereof, and each of the key bars which support the keys of the card selecting means is provided with an inclined cam face 25 (Fig. VIII), which extends outwardly and upwardly from the normal edge of each of said key bars and against which the lower end of said elongated plate 23 is drawn by the spring 23".

When any one' of the keys of the card selecting mechanism is depressed, it is apparent that the cam face 25 will cause the lower end of the elongated plate 23 to move to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. III, in which position the lateral pro- 'jection on said elongated plate will rest under all of the extensions 26, one of which is formed on each of the key bars of the group selecting mechanism, and itis obvious that with said parts so positioned, the keys of said group-selecting mechanism could not` be de ressed.

. A link 27 (Fig. III), which is pivotally connected at one end to the elongated plate 23 and at the other end to the detent 20, is the means whereby said detent 20 is operated when said elongated plate 23 is actuated, and the necesslty for this will now be pointed out. It will be assumed that a card is being llO selected and delivered. First, as has been fully explained, the division key is depressed. 'Ihis will cause the detent 17 to i `enter the notch in the depressed key bar and hold it in a depressed position. The groupselecting key is then depressed. This will cause the detent 20 to enter the notch in the depressed key bar and to likewise hold that key bar depressed. It is understood that when the group-selecting and positioning key is depressed, one clutch member 12 in each division (which clutch members are associated with the particular rod 5 controlled by the key depressed) will be moved laterally, and because, as has been explained, all of the clutch members that have not been .clutched to their associated group holders are Iengaged by the lateral extension 1a of the group holder support 1, it would not be possible to depress another key of the division-selecting mechanism until the said group-selecting mechanism had been returned to its normal position.

'llo provide for the returning of the groupselecting mechanism before a subsequent division key is depressed, the link 27 is provided.

Whenthe card-selecting key bar 15D is depressed, the cam face 25, as has been stated, will cause the elongated plate 23 to move laterally, thereby causing the lateral extension on the said elongated plate to assume a position above the extension 26 on the depressed key bar 7, and because the detent 20 is connected to said elongated plate 23 by means of the link 27. said detent will likewise be oscillated until the lower end thereof is free of the notchv in the depressed key bar, when the said key bar will move vertically a. slight distance. However, this freeing of the detent from the notch will not allow the said key' bar to return to its normal position, as the eXtension 23 on the elongated plate 23 will engage the extension 26 on the lkey bar and hold said key bar depresse-d until the pressure is withdrawn from the card-selecting key, when both keys will be returned simultaneously to their normal positions.

A key of the division-selecting mechanism will be returned to its normal position when a second key of that series is depressed, as the` inclined face-forming part of the notch 19 therein will cause the detent 17 to move outwardly, freeing said detent from the notch of the first depressed key and allowing the spring associated therewith to return the said key to its normal position.

rllo clear the key board in the event of au error or for any other reason, I provide a keyboard clearing key 28, pivoted at 28 (Fig. IX), which is provided with a lug 29, which cooperates with the detent 17, and a lug 30, which cooperates with the detent 20 said key board clearing key 28 being provided with a restoring spring 28a, one end of which is attached to the lug 29 and theother end to a stationary part of the ma` chine. The elongated plate 23 is provided at one end with a projection 31 against which the key bar of the key 28 rests. It is apparent with the arrange-ment of parts just described that when said key 2S is depressed, all of the locking devices will be moved in a direction to free the depressed key bars therefrom and thereby return all of said depressed keys to their normal positions, through the action of their associated springs.

It will be noted that a spring is shown in Fig. VIII for urging the plate '23 in the same direction that the clearing key 28 acting upon the projection 31 will urge it, but the clearing key is only intended to be used to move said plate 23 in the event that said plate becomes stuck and said spring has not suihcient strength to move same.

When a group holder B has but a few cards therein, there may be a tendency for a delivered card to drop back into said group holder because of the absence of fric'- tion to hold same in an elevated position. To overcome this tendency I provide leaf springs 32, one of which is attached to each group holder in such position that each delivered card will pass between the free end of said spring and the\back B of the group holder B, thereby holding same in proper position until it has been withdrawn or replaced in the group holder.

I claim: l

1. A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards located within said receptacle, selecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with said cards upon the operation of which any individual card in said receptacle may be moved laterally therein, cardraising means including inclined faces with'- in the receptacle, and means on said cards adapted to cooperate with said card-raising means whereby said movement of any individual card will cause same to be raised above the other cards in the receptacle.

2. A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards located within said receptacle wherein said Cards are arranged in groups, group-positioning mechanism adapted to cooperate with said groups of cards whereby a selected group of cards may be displaced laterally with relation to other groups, card-selecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with the cards of the displaced group upon the operation of which any individual card in the displaced group may be moved, means including inclined faces within said receptacle,and means on the cards adapted to cooperate with said means within the receptacle whereby said movement of any one of said cards in said displaced group will cause same to be separated from the other 'cards therein by being projected beyond l them in a horizontal and vertical direction.-

3 A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, ca rds located within saidreceptacle wherein saidcards are arranged 1n groups,

group-positioning mechanism adapted to colli" tacle wherein said cards are arranged in groups, each of said cards being provided with a projection on an edge thereof, group-positioning mechanism adapted to y cooperate with said-groups of cards wherel raising means.

by a selected group of cards may be displaced laterally with relation to the other groups, means including inclined faces within said receptacle, means on the cards adapted to cooperate with said means within lthe receptacle whereby any individual card in the displaced group may be raised above the other cards therein, and card-selecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with the projections on the cards whereby the means on the cards may be moved against the inclined faces within the receptacle.' v

5c A card indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards located within said receptacle, wherein the said cards are arranged in groups, each of the cards having a projection on an edge thereof and each of said cards having inclined edges, group selecting and positioning mechanism whereby a selected group-of cards is displaced laterally with relation to the other groups, cardraising means cooperating with said cards including inclined faces, and card-selecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with the projections on the cards whereby any individual card in the displaced group is selected and moved laterally so as to cause said inclined edges on said card to contact with .the said inclined faces of the card- 6. A. card indexing device comprising' a receptacle, cards located within said receptacle wherein the said cards are arranged in groups, each of the cards having a projectionen an edge thereof and each of saidI o cards having inclined edges, group holders whereby all of the cards making up a group are heldl together and kept separate from v theqeards of other groups, said group holders being provided with inclined faces against which said corresponding inclined edges formed on the cards bear, group selecting and positioning mechanism cooperating with said group-holders whereby a selected group holder is displaced laterally with relation to the other group holders, and card-selecting mechanism cooperating with the projections on the cards whereby any individual card in the displaced group holder may be caused to rise above the other cards therein by being moved laterallyv against the said inclined faces on the said group holder.

7. A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards located within said receptacle wherein the cards are arranged in groups, each of the cards having a projection on an edge thereof, group seriesselecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with said groups of cards whereby a series of groups of cards are selected for operation, group-positioning mechanism whereby one group of the selected series is placed in card-selecting `position, card-raising means within the receptacle, means on the cards adapted to cooperate with said cardraising means, and card-selecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with.the projections on said cards whereby the cards may be shifted to move the means on 'said cards against said card-raising means within the receptacle to cause a card to rise above the other cards in said receptacle.

8. A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards located within said receptacle wherein said cards are arranged in groups, each of the cards having a projection on an edge thereof,l group-holders whereby all of the cards making up a group are held together and kept separate from the cards of other groups, group seriesselecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with said group-holders whereby a series of said group-holders are placed in condition to be moved to a card-selecting position, group positioning mechanism whereby one of the holders so acted upon is moved to a card-selecting v'posit-ion, card-raising means within the receptacle, means on said cards adapted to cooperate with said card-raising means, and card-selecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with theprojections on the cards whereby said cards may be shifted to move the means on the cards against the card-raising means within the receptacle.

9 A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards located within said receptacle wherein 4said cards rearranged in groups, each of the cards having a projection on an edge thereof, .group-holders whereby all of the cards making up a group l are held togetherl and kept separate fromthe cards of other groups, group seriesraising means within thefreeeptacle, means'V selecting mechanism whereby a series of group-'holders is selected for card selection, group-positioning mechanism comprising a plurality of clutch members which j are acted upon by said group series-selecting mechanism to engage the selected seriesof group-holders, said group-positioning mechanism including means adapted Vto move a selected group of cards included in said selected series Vto an operating position, card-raising means within they receptacle, means on the cards adapted to cooperate with said card-raising means, and cardselecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with the projections on the cards whereby any individual card in the positioned group may be raised above the other lcards therein by shift-ing said card so as to cause the means thereon to move against the cardiaising means within the receptacle.

l0. A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards located within said receptacle wherein 4said cards are arranged in groups, each of said cards having a projection on an edge thereof, group-holders whereby all of the cards making up a group are held together and kept separate fromthe cards of other groups, group-positioning mechanism comprising aplurality of clutch members each of which is. adapted to engage one of lsaid group-holders, group seriesselecting mechanism comprising barseach of which cooperates with a series of the clutch members of the group-positioning mechanism, said .group series-seleding 4 mechanism including means associated with each ofy said bars whereby it mayibe actuated to cause a predetermined series of clutch members to engage a corresponding series of group-holders, means Wherebyany one of a group of engaged clutch members may be .actuated to mo've the associated holder to a card-selecting posit-ion, cardon the 'cards'adapted to cooperate with said card-raising means, and card-selecting l mechanism cooperating with the projections on the cards whereby any individual card in the positioned group may be raised above the other cards therein by being shifted so as to cause the means on said card to move against the card-raising means within the groups, each of said cards having a projection on an edge thereof, group-holders whereby all ofthe cards mfaking up a group are held together and kept separate from the cards of other groups, group-positioning n mechanism comprising a plurality of clutch members each of which is adapted to engage one of said group-holders, group series-selecting'mechanism comprising bars each of which underlies a series of the clutch m- .bers ofthe group-positioning mechanism, said group series-selecting mechanism mcluding means associated with each of said bars whereby it may be actuated to cause a predetermined series of clutch members to plngage a corresponding series of groupn 'card-raising means within the receptacle.

12. A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards located within said rece tacle" wherein said cards are arranged in groups, each of thecards having a projection on an edge thereof, group-holders whereby all ofthe cards making up a group are held together and kept separate from the cards of other groups,group`-position ing mechanism comprising a plurality of clutch members. each of which is adapted to engage one of said group-holders, group series-selectin mechanism comprisinga plurality of r s, a bar secured to each of said rods', said bars being each adapted to engage a series of the clutch members of the grouplill) positioning mechanism, operating mechacard-raising means within the receptacle,

mealns on said cards adapted to cooperate wit selecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with the projections on the cards whereby any individual card in a positioned groupv maybe raised above the other cards therein by being shifted so as to cause themeans on said cards to move against the card-raising means within the receptacle.

13. A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards located within 'said receptacle wherein said cards are arranged in groups, each of the cards having aprojection on an edge thereof, 'group-holders whereby all of the cards making up a group are held together and kept separate .from the cards of other groups, grou positioning mechanism comprisin a plura ity of clutch members each of whic is adapted to engage said card-raising means, and card-l iso iov

' whereby any individual card in the posithe means one of the group-holders, group series-selectin mechanism comprising -a plurality of pro s, a bar secured to each of said rods, keyoperated mechanism associatedwith said with corresponding series of group-holders,

. secured to said rods,

cle wherein said groups, eachl means whereby any one of ap'group of engaged'clutch members may be actuated to move the associated -holder to a card-selecting position, card-raising means within the receptacle, means on the cards adapted to cooperate with said card-.raising means, and

card-selecting mechanism adapted to co-Y operate with the projections on the cardswhereby any individual card in the positioned 'group may be raised above the other Acards therein by being shifted so as to cause the means on said card to move against the card-raising means within the receptacle.

14. A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards located within said receptacle wherein said cards are arranged in groups', each of the cards having a projection on an edge thereof, group-holders whereby all ofthe cards making up a group are held together-and kept separate from the cards of other groups, groupepositioning mechanism comprisin a plurality of clutch lmembers each of whic is adapted to engage one of said group-holders to. move said group-holder to a card-selecting position,

oup series-selecting mechanism comprismg a plurality of oscillatory rods, a bar secured to each of said rods and adapted to oscillate therewith, key-operated mechanism associated with said rods comprising arms key bars provided with keys, and links connecting said 'key bars with said arms secured to the rods, whereby said rods will b e oscillated when said keys are depressed thereby causing the bars carried bysaid rods to move the cooperating series of clutch members into engagement with the corresponding series of group-holders, means ,whereby cany one of a group of engaged clutch/members may be actuated lto move the `associated holder to a card-selecting position, card-raising meansvv within the receptacle, means on the cards adaptedto coperate with said card-raising means, and ca selecting rmechanism` adapted to-coopcrate with the projections lon the cards tioned group may be raised abovethe other cards therein by being shifted so `as to cause on the card to move against the card-raising means within the receptacle. v

15. A card-indexingdevice comprising a receptacle, cards located within said receptacards are arranged in of the cards having a projection on an wir thereof, group-holders the cards of other'g'roups, gro

whereby all of the cards making up a group are held together and kept separate from the cards of other groups, group series-selecting mechanismwhereby a series of group-holders are selected or operation, group-positioning mechanism comprising a plurality of clutch members adapted to be acted upon by said group series-selecting mechanism to engage the selected series of group-holders, key-actuated mechanism cooperating with said clutch members whereby a predetermined group-holder within the selected group series may 'be moved to a card-selecting position, card-raising means within the receptacle, means on thel cards adapted to cooperate withsaid card-raising means, and card-selecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with the projections on the cards whereby any individualcard in the positioned group may be raised above the other cards therein by being shifted so as to cause the means on said card to move against the card-raising means within the receptacle.

16. A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards located within said receptacle wherein said cards are arranged in groups, each of the cards having a projection on an edge thereof, group-holders whereby all of the cards making up a group are held together and kept separate from the cards of other groups, group series-selecting mechanism including clutch-operating bars wherei by a series of group-holders are selected for operation, group positioning mechanism comprlsing a plurality of clutch members each of which is provided at one end with an open end slot, in which slots the clutchoperating bars of said group series-selecting mechanism operate to cause said clutch members to engage associated group-holders, keyactuated mechanism cooperating with said clutch members whereby a predetermined group-holder within the selectedgroup series may be moved to a card-selecting position, card-raising means withinfthe receptacle, means on the cards adapted to cooperate Awith said card-raising means, and card-selecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with the projections on thecards whereby any individual card in the positioned group may be raised above the other cards thereinvby. being. shifted so asv to cause the means on said cards to move against thecard-raising means within the receptacle.

17. A card-indexing device. comprising a receptacle, cards-locat d within said receptacle wherein said cards are arranged in groups, each of said cards having a projec- ,tlon on an edge thereof, group-holders lwherebyall of the cards making up a group are held together and kept separate from up series-seclutch-opergroup-holders lecting mechanism including ating bars whereby a series of neonato are selected for operation, group-positioning mechanism comprising a plurality of clutch members each of which is provided at one end with an open end slot wherein the l`clutch-operating bars oi said group seriesclutch members, an arm secured to each of said rods at one end thereof, a key bar for each of said arms upon which is mounted a key, a link connecting each arm to its key bar whereby a depression of said key will impart an oscillating movement to its rod and bar and a lateral movement to the clutch members connected thereto whereby av predetermined group-holder withinA the selected group series may be moved to a card-se1ecting position, card-raising means within the receptacle, means on the cards adapted to cooperate with said card-raising means, and card-selecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with. the projections on the hards whereby any' individual card in the positioned group may be raisedabove the other cards therein by being shifted so as to cause the means on said card to move against the card-raising meansfwithin the receptacle.

`18. lin a card index', a card, van edge of which is provided with inclined portions, said portions being inclined in the same dif rection, and a projection formed on said card intermediate of said inclined portions.

19. lln a card index, a card, the lower edge'of which is provided with inclined portions, said portions being inclined inthe same direction, and a projection formed on said lower edge ot said card intermediate of said inclined portions. I

20. lln a card index, a card provided with `cut-out portions adjacent to an edge thereof,

.je'ction extending 'from'said lower edge of said card. said projection being located intermediat'e of said notches. v f

22. A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards located within said receptacle wherein said cards are arranged in groups, each of the cards having a projection on an edge thereof and each of said cards having inclined edgesi group-holders whereby all of the cards making up a group are held together and kept separate ltrom the cardsot Fother groups, group-selecting and positioning mechanism' whereby a selected group of cards is displaced laterally with relation to the other groups, cardraising means including inclin d faces, and

cand-selecting mechanism comprising a plural-ity of rods` within said receptacle. said rods being provided with card-operating bars one o'f which is fixed 'to each ot' said rods and extends longitudinally of the receptacle with said rod and underlies the cards therein, key-actuatedmechanism cooperating with said rods whereby any one of the rods may be oscillated to cause its card-operating bar to engage the projection on a card in the displaced group thereby moving the inclined edges of said card laterally against the inclined faces of the card-raising means to raise said card above the other cards.

23. A card-indexing device comprising a' receptacle, cards located within saidrecep tacle wherein vsaid cards are arranged in groups, each of the cards having a projection on an edge thereof` and each of said cards having inclined edges, group-holders whereby all of the cards making up a group are held together and kept separate from the cards of other groups, group-selecting and positioning mechanism whereby a selected group of cards is displaced laterally with relation tothe other groups, card-raising" means including inclined faces, and card-selecting mechanism comprising a plurality of rods within said receptacle, said rods being provided with card-operating b ars one of which is fixed to each of said rods and extends longitudinally of the receptacle.Y with said rod and underlies the cards therein, key-actuated mechanism comprising arms one of which is secured to each of said rods at one end thereof, key bars provided with keys, and linksV connecting said arms with said key bars whereby any one ot' the rods may be oscillated to cause its card-operating bar to engage the projection on a card in the 'displaced group thereby moving the inclined edges of said card laterally against said inclined faces of the cardraising .means to raise it above the other cards.

Ii O

24. A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards located within said receptacle wherein said cards are arranged'in groups, each of the aards having a projec displaced laterally with relation to the other. h

groups, card-raising means including 1nclined faces, means on .the cards adapted to -cooperate with said card-raising means, keycontrolled card-selecting mechanismadapted to cooperate with the projections on the tion on an edge thereof, keycontrolled` cards whereby any individual card in the displaced group may be selected and shifted laterally so as to cause the means on said card't'o cooperate with said inclined faces to raise said card, and means `whereby the individual units of the key-controlled mechanism may be locked in their moved position.

y25. A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards located within said receptacle wherein said cards are arranged in, groups, eachof the cards having a Iprojection on an edge thereof,` key-controlled group-'selecting and positioning mechanism adapted to cooperate ,with the groups -of cards whereby a selected group of cards is displaced laterally with relation to the other groups, card-raising means including inclined faces, means on the cards adapted to cooperate with said card-raising means, keycontrolled card-selecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with the projections on the cards whereby any individual card in the displaced group may be selected and shifted laterally so as to cause the means on said card to cooperate with said inclined faces to raise the card, means whereby the individual units of the key-controlled mechanism may be locked in their moved positions, and means comprising a key whereby all of said locked key-controlled units may be simultaneously released.

26. A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards located within said receptacle wherein said cards are arranged in groups, each of the cards having a projection y on an edge' thereof, group-holders whereby all of the cards'makingup a group are held together and kept separate from the cards of other groups, group series-selecting mechanism whereby a series of groups of holders is selected for operation, group-positioning mechanism comprising a plurality of clutch members each of which is provided at one end thereof with a portions of said group seriel-selecting mechanism being extended into said ope'n end slots in said clutch members whereby said clutch members may be caused to engage thev y group-holders, said group-positioning mechanism including key-actuated mechanism whereby a predetermined group within the vselected group series may be open end slot,

` moved` to a card-selecting position, locking means whereby certain clutch members cooperable with group-holders of non-selected series of group-holders are locked to prevent 4 actuation after one of the group-holders in the selected series has been displaced,card

' raising means within ther1 receptacle, means onthe cards adapted to cooperate with said card-raising means, and card-selecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with the projections on the cardswhereby anyv individual card in the positioned group may be raised abbve the other cards therein by being shifted so as to cause the means on said card'to move lagainst the card-raising means within the receptacle.

27. A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards located withincsaid receptacle wherein said cards are arranged in groups, each of the cards having a projection on an edge thereof, group-holders whereby all of the cards making up a group are held together and kept separate from the cards of other groups, group series-selecting mechanism whereby a series of group-holders are selected for operation, group-positioning mechanism comprising a plurality of clutch members each of which is provided at one end with an open end slot, portions of said group series-selecting mechanism being extended into said open end slots in said clutch members whereby said clutches will be caused to engage the group-holders, said grouppositioning mechanism including key-actuated mechanism whereby a predetermined group within the selected group series may be moved to a card-selecting position, locking means comprising a bar extending longitudinally of the receptacle and adapted tov enter said open end slots in the clutch members whereby certain clutch members cooperable with group-holders of non-selected series of group holders are locked to prevent actuation after one of the group-holders in said .selected .series has been displaced,

card-raising means within the receptacle,y

means on the'i cards adapted to cooperate with said card-raising means, and card-selecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with the projections on the cards whereby any individual card in the positioned group may be raised above the other cards therein by being shifted so as to cause the means on said card to move against the card-raising means within the receptacle. v

, 28. A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards locatedwithin said receptacle wherein said cards are arranged in acards vadapted to cooperate with said cardraising means, and card-selecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with the characteristics of said cards whereby the desired card is selected and separated from the other cards in the positioned group by being naam shifted so as to causel the meanson said card to move against the card-raising means within the receptacle.

29. A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards located within said receptacle whereinsaid cards are arranged in groups, each of said cards being provided with a projection on an edge thereof, groupholders provided with projections, groupholder supports provided with `slots through which the projections on said group-holders project whereby said groupfholders may be moved laterally relative to said groupholder supports but are prevented tromVv moving longitudinally thereof, group seriesselecting mechanism whereby the particular division in which the desired card is located is selected, group-positioning mechanism vadapted to cooperate with the group holders whereby the group in which the desired l card is located may be positioned for card selection, card-raising means within the receptacle, means on the cards adapted to cooperate with said card-raising means, and card-selecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with the projections on the cards whereby the desired' card is selected and separated from the other cards in the positioned group by being shifted so as to move the means on said card against the cardraising means within the receptacle.

30.l A card-indexing-device comprising a receptacle, cards located Within said receptacle wherein said cards are arranged in groups, each of said cards being provided with a projection on an edge thereof, groupholders comprising an inflexible back, provided with up-turned card-receiving portions at the lower corners thereof, each of said backs being provided with an offset portion adapted to overlap the space between said` group-holder and the adjacent group-holder whereby a card being inserted into saidy group-,holder is prevented from being placed in the space between two ot said group-holders, group-holder supports,

group series-selectng/ mechanism whereby the particular division in which the dsire-l card is located is selected, group-positioning mechanism adapted to cooperate with the group-holders whereby the group in which the desired card is located may be 4positioned ,for card selection, card-raising means Within the receptacle, means on the cards adapted to cooperate with mid card-raising means, and card-selectin mechanism adapt-- ed to cooperate with saidz projections on said cards whereby the desired card is selected and separated trom the other cards in the positioned group by being shifted soas to cause the means on the card to move against the card-raising means within the receptacle.

3L A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards located within said receptacle wherein said cardsare arranged in groups, each of said cards having a projection on an edge thereof, key-controlled division-selecting mechanism, key-controlled v group-selecting and positioning mechanism ,adapted to cooperate with the groups of cards whereby a selected groupof cards is displaced laterally with relation to the other groups, card-raising means within the receptacle, means on the cards, adapted to cooperate with said card-raising means, key-controlled card-mlectin mechanism adapted to cooperate with t e projections on the cards whereby any individual card in the positioned groupmay be separated from the other cards therein by being shifted so as to cause the means on said card to move against the card-raising means'within the receptacle,l and means whereby said keys controlling ylocked in a depressed position.

32. A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, cards located within said receptacle wherein said cards are1 arranged in groups, each of said cards having a projection on 'an edge thereof, key-controlled division-selecting mechanism, key-controlled group-selecting Iand positioning mecha; nism adapted to cooperate with the groups of cards whereby a selected group ot cards is displaced laterally with relation. to the other groups, card-raising means Within the receptacle, means on the cards adapted to -cooperate with said card-raising means, key-controlled card-selecting mechanism cooperating with the projections on the said mechanisms may he positioned group may be separated from the other cards therein by being shifted so as Vto cause the means on the card to move against the card-raising means within the receptacle, means whereby said keys con- Mld trolling-said mechanisms may be .locked in l a depressed position, and a keyboard clearing mechanism whereby all depressed keys may be 'simultaneously rele. y

33. A card-indexing device comprising a receptacle, 4cards located within said receptacle 'wherein' said cards are arran ed in oups, each'of said cards beingI rovi ed wit a proection on an edge thereo groupria llld f holders w ereby all of the cards rmag 'Y up the group are held together and kept separate trom the cards of other groups,

division-selecting mechanism, group-posi-l tioning mechanism adapted to cooperate with the group-holders whereby the group in whichthe desired card"\is located may he positioned for card operation, card-ralsing means within the receptacle, ,mea-ns on the cards adapted to cooperate with said cardraising means, card-selecting meeham adapted to cooperate with the projiov on the cards Jwhereby "the desired card is selected and separated from the other :zards `in the positioned group by being shifted sans to cause the. means on said card to move against the card-raising means within the receptacle wherebysaid card-is moved 'in a. direction angular with respect to its axis and those of the other cards, and means whereby said moved card is frictionally held in its moved position. K 10 In testimony that I claim the foregoing I hereunto aiix my signature.r l

' JOHN V. LILE. 

